Today is World Humanitarian Day, a day designated to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad that killed 22 people and injured more than 100. While most people around the globe don’t recognize this day, for me it’s a day to reflect on those living in humanitarian disasters and to recognize those who put themselves in danger to help others.

Oxfam is one of the many organizations providing lifesaving assistance to people living in these disasters. But my job does not put me in danger anymore. These days I sit safe and comfortable in Washington, DC. I am not one of the heroes that you often hear about. I am not there when the typhoon hits.

So what can be done? As the Humanitarian Policy Manager at Oxfam America I feel like I should have the answer, but I don’t. I wish there was an Ice Bucket Challenge for humanitarian disasters that would raise the awareness about what aid workers do, and risk.

Media to care enough to cover the courageous local aid workers putting their lives on the line; and

People around the world to care enough to donate to humanitarian organizations that are responding to disasters or to contact their Government to press them to do more. In the United States, Americans still think that over a quarter of the US budget goes to foreign aid when in reality it is about 1%.

Washington, DC

Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. We help people build better futures for themselves, hold the powerful accountable, and save lives in disasters. Our mission is to tackle the root causes of poverty and create lasting solutions.

Oxfam America is a 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law.